Last Updated on December 19, 2025 by Masha Eretnova
If you’re looking for sweet, simple, and slightly messy fun this winter, handprint crafts are a solid go-to.
These ideas use paint, paper, and glue to turn your child’s hand into penguins, snowmen, trees, and even a Grinch.
They’re fun to make, easy to tweak for different ages, from toddlers up, and double as keepsakes or homemade gifts.
Clay Baby Handprint Ornament
The clay baby handprint ornament uses soft air-dry clay and is ideal for toddlers and young kids with grown-up support. It’s a gentle, squishy craft that makes a sweet keepsake you’ll want to keep year after year. You can add glitter, use different colors, and add a name!
Winter Mitten Garland Craft
The mitten garland is made with paper mittens strung on twine, and kids can decorate each one with their little handprints. Great for toddlers and preschool.
Snowflake Handprint Art
Snowflake handprints use simple paint and paper, and you can sprinkle glitter on top for extra sparkle. Perfect for toddlers and up, this one is fast, easy, and feels like snowy fun without the cold.
Snow Owl Handprint Craft
The snow owl handprint craft comes together with paint, paper, and big googly eyes or cut-out features. It works well for kids ages 4 and up, and has a calm, wintry vibe that fits perfectly with animal or forest themes.
Penguin Handprint Craft
The penguin handprint craft needs colored paper, scissors, and a little glue. Toddlers and preschoolers will love turning their hand into a waddly little penguin that’s fun to make and even more fun to show off.
Salt Dough Penguin Handprint Ornament
The salt dough penguin ornament uses just flour, salt, water, and some paint to turn a handprint into a cute winter keepsake.
Best for preschoolers and up with adult help, it’s hands-on and perfect for tree decorating or gift giving.
Handprint Alphabet P for Penguin
This sweet project turns your kid’s palm and fingers into a waddly penguin with just paint. It’s a great winter handprint craft that makes the alphabet fun and doubles as a cheerful classroom display or handmade card.
This project suits kids around 2–4; it builds confidence with paint and gives sensory play without too many steps.
Popsicle Stick Angel Craft for Christmas
This one uses simple sticks, paper, and a dab of glue to create a gentle angel ornament that’s just right for holiday decorating. It’s a quick project that feels special without being fussy, and you can dress each angel up with glitter, ribbon, or sequins.
Great for toddlers age up, and works as a sweet gift for extended family
Handprint Christmas Tree Craft
Layer green handprints into a jolly evergreen that practically sings “holiday fun.” This winter handprint craft is perfect for toddlers and up, it’s sensory, festive, and pretty hard to mess up — and it gives you a bright splash of color for your fridge or mantel.
Moose Handprint Craft
This moose handprint craft uses paper and your child’s own hand shape to make a big antlered friend — perfect winter animal craft for long snowy days.
Great for preschool and early school ages, this project is wonderfully simple and gives kids a chance to practice focus and scissor skills without getting overwhelmed.
Cardinal Handprint Winter Craft
The cardinal handprint craft is a sweet winter art project that turns little hand shapes into bright red birds. It’s a great way to combine art and memory keeping — each cardinal feels special, bold against winter themes.
This works well with a broad age range, home activity or classroom.
Snowman Handprint Craft
Little hands turn into a winter keepsake with this snowman craft. Kids trace and cut out their hand, then decorate it with a hat, scarf, buttons, and a carrot nose. The finished snowman is easy to make and perfect for preschool January activities or holiday cards.
Handprint Winter Tree Craft
A child’s handprint turns into a winter tree with just a little paint. Great idea for toddlers to create a winter keepsake.
Handprint Grinch Paper Plate Craft
A creative keepsake featuring kids’ handprints transformed into a fun Grinch face using paper plates and some glue.
Handprint Alphabet – N for Narwhal
Simple handprint project to practice letter N and also learn about some unique animals on our planet, like this sea Unicorn aka Narwhal.
Salt Dough Snowman Keepsake
Make a handprint keepsake with salt dough and turn it into a cute snowman ornament that your kids can color themselves!
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Masha Eretnova, born in 1991, is a Buenos Aires-based certified teacher, artist, and member of the Professional Artist Association with 20+ years of personal painting journey.
She started painting and drawing very early and is now an international abstract artist and educator passionate about acrylic painting, gouache, and crafts.
Her works are part of international exhibitions and contests, including ArtlyMix (Brazil), Al-Tiba 9 (Spain), Exhibizone (Canada), Italy, and many more.
Besides her artistic pursuits, Masha holds a post-grad diploma in Teaching Film Photography and 2 music school diplomas: piano and opera singing.